Most Comics Should Not Be Graded!

#cgc #mcu #ComicMarket
All comics should be graded right? Wrong! Most comics shouldn’t be graded, and let’s look at this example from Reddit.
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[@dhyde9780]

98% of comics released don't need to be graded. People grade every book that comes out. Total waste of money.

[@StuntBikeJake]

You are literally describing the last year of my life, inherited a sizable collection and had no idea where to start. I went from knowing zero to learning a lot and actually developing an interest in the hobby.

[@TheSameoldjoe]

Unfortunately, a person reads the return of a Heritage auction, remembers a box of old comics in their basement, and believes that they are rich forever.

[@stevenblack6049]

I've been a Comic Collector for a long time now and actually your right as Only Vintage Comics Should actually be Encased And Preserved and more Modern Comics should actually be Bagged and Boarded currently as its always great to actually know and discover that a few of your Comics have actually grown in value as You've held on to them and have taken measures to properly preserve them as well and actually I myself have come to discover and actually learn that I like to actually hold into the Comicbooks with the Best Cover Art,Stories,and Most Interesting Characters along with several other types of actual benefits to actually Collecting other various types of different Titles and Variations Diversely whenever actually Having and owning a Larger Collection in Continuity.

[@karlb10024]

I understand. my mother had a lifetime stamp collection, and we had NO idea how to deal with it.

[@gwedits]

Thanks Ryan. Hopefully all these asshats that post on KZbin complaining about the grades they got from CGC are watching. They need to buy a grading guide to see that your treasure with 10 spine ticks is not going to get a 9.8!

[@jasonpinkney1150]

You make some good points! And this video could save some people from costly grading mistakes! Someday I'll reluctantly make use of CGC or CBCS to increase the value of my high grade books before selling, but I still haven't slabbed or sold a single comic! I'm hoping that sellers get better than CGC at DESCRIBING (with words and photos) the condition of the book, and buyers start to realize that slabbed books have intrinsically less value than raw ones. Then there will be no reliance on CGC to increase a books FMV. Cue the "Imagine" music by Lennon. :)

[@marcloev2072]

Great advice. Since he does not know much and needs the money quickly, putting them up for auction satisfies both issues - the market will dictate the value for him as long as he describes the issues correctly with some decent photographs and he will get the money quickly.

[@MarcSpectorComics]

Great video Ryan. I always try to help out people that don't really know much about Comics. Don't want to see them make any big mistakes as well

[@DeusExAstra]

I think this is all very good advice. Thank you for putting this out there to help people who are not knowledgeable about the hobby.

[@ronhobbs463]

Leave the Secret Wars 8 etc. in the lots. They'll attract more eyeballs and help unload the junk, of which there is a lot.

[@dansxmencomics]

Great advice. Great critical thinking. That dirty mattress tells me none of these are 9.8 candidates. Since they are so new I’d recommend to a ell em all raw in lots. Too much to deal with setting up a CGC account, shipping em off, etc.

[@Kirok2005]

The way you think about it is pretty much the same as me. If I was that person, I wouldn't submit any of those, even without the benefit of examination. All I need to see is those horrendous bags (what are those??), no boards, the way they've obviously been (mis)handled, and ARE being (mis) handled, thrown on a mattress all askew, just don't do it. For modern tier, I look at GPA 90-day and last sale, and if I don't have 80% confidence it'll grade out to at least a $130 book, I don't submit. For vintage tier (non-high value), I set my floor at $220-$230 with 80% confidence. That way if I strike out on a few grades, I'm still ahead. It's worked well for me.

[@michaelcalabrese2960]

Nice Video. I think he would be better off selling them in lots. Too expensive getting them graded.

[@richchappell]

Two years ago, I pulled my boxes out of the closet where they had been for almost 30 years. I knew that I had some decent keys, like New Mutants 98 and ASM 300. Unfortunately, they're probably only in the 6.5 to 7.5 range, even though when I bought them I read them one time then bagged and boarded them. I guess 30 years of storage and moving was a little rougher than I thought. The only comics from my old collection that might be in good enough shape to justify grading are the Dark Knight Returns books. I have some others, particularly from Ghost Rider v. 2, that are in pristine shape but still not worth grading. I don't own a slabbed comic yet, out of more than 7500 books. Maybe one of these days, if I can ever force myself to save up some money.

[@protestant3207]

They'll shine once they're put in mylars I bought a 30 box collection back in 2001 and had to spend $500 on bags! Spent $4600 and snagged some major bronze grails

[@gregparks1785]

Great video with really good advice. I see people sending in books to get graded and there’s zero market for the book in anything under 9.8. And even then sometimes it’s iffy. I hope this person sees your video and takes your advice.

[@bandoogiemanz]

with cgc removing the minimum number of books for pre-screen, idk why anyone would be sending in modern books without a minimum grade pre-screen.

[@Bar-Lord]

I’ve been reading/collecting for almost 10 years and I just now feel like I’m a LITTLE knowledgeable about a small corner of the hobby. Channels like this provide so much value to people looking for insight into the business side of the hobby. If you watch Ryan’s videos and various claim sales, you’ll learn a flood of information in a relatively short amount of time.

[@mikeboam9659]

Excellent advice Ryan. Not many non-collectors understand that the book needs to look brand new to get the highest value.

[@georgegmoney8334]

I was thinking about just selling off my entire collection about 10k books. Was thinking of just selling it in groups like all my Spider-Man,x-men, hulk,etc. And including the bigger keys with it. But it's going to be in groups of 100+. I've never sold any of my collection before. Should I do ebay? Maybe Facebook marketplace? I would think that a majority of people would want to physically see a book before buying it.

[@bandoogiemanz]

If you're not in a rush, try the fee less places, first: facebook comic book buy/sell groups, mercari, comic swap subreddit(paypal fee), instagram, cgc or other marketplace forums. then ebay. Cpuld also consign with dave over at dave's investment youtube channel. he has a website, with small weekly and larger quarterly auctions. flat consignment fee of 5% which is the best around. as always though, EBAY will get the most eyes on your stuff, but you pay for that with the fees.

[@reprintranch]

I’m no expert but I do have a lot of personal experience buying comics and also some experience with selling things and potential pitfalls. Here are my tips… I like the idea of selling groups of comics that focus on a single character or title. But I’d break them down to groups of 10 or 15. Groups of 100 comics are going to cost so much that it’ll reduce your customer base. Selling on eBay can work but make sure you know how to pack comics for shipping, and remember that you can reject bidders or buyers if they seem sketchy (new account, few transactions, buyer has given critical feedback to sellers). If you plan to sell in person, make sure you meet up with potential buyers at a public place. Also, know what your rock-bottom acceptable price is for each lot, and be prepared to have would-be buyers get huffy if you won’t bend to their will. For that matter, if you are someone who is uncomfortable with conflict or you’re a “people pleaser” who will go along with someone else’s wishes just to keep the peace, you might want to avoid face-to-face sales and use eBay instead. Best of luck!

[@PatriciaMaroney]

Thanks for all the great information. I've been studying up on comics for some time now and what you said in this video is very helpful. I'm curious about the best way to learn to grade? Because there are so many graded ones out there, I basically am comparing a picture of already graded book to what's in front of me. But, that only works for cover and back cover, not really interior problems.

[@AutomaticComics]

I recommend checking out the video I put out a few days ago about problems buying comics online. Near the end I point to a good reference for helping learn to grade. What you’re doing is a good way to start learning and approximate grades (comparing to other books).

[@MrKenCollectibles]

Great info.

[@AutomaticComics]

Thanks 👍

[@pamvarner8044]

I kinda feel bad for this guy. Needs some money, gets a collection and has stars in their eyes. I hope they see this and takes your advice, because this isn’t an easy game they’re getting into.

[@Johnnyutah001]

Ryan, Hipcomic just listed a Hulk 181 9.4 for $3400…that’s low. I double checked the CGC serial number and the case is different in the Hipcomic pic than the one on CGC website. Can you look in to this? Thanks for all your work on uncovering the shenanigans.

[@AutomaticComics]

Looks like a fraudulent listing to me. The same book sold 3 months ago on eBay (has that wood background) for over 10,000. So this person probably grabbed that old photo and posted it here.

[@AutomaticComics]

FYI, I posted a video about this listing as well. Thanks for the heads up 👍

[@jarredsmith9187]

If the comic isn't worth at least $250 or more then it's not worth grading.

[@larrysmith7301]

Very interesting video and agree with your thoughts on grading. To grade or not grade is, to me, a very difficult question. I have been working on an Avengers 1- 100 run. I am currently half done, with 50 books in the collection. They are all VF or low NM, maybe 9.0. My math says, clean + press + CGC graded = don't grade, but it is close. No doubt CGC slabs get more $, but it is costly to slab. I still debate with myself all the time, but as of now, they are in Mylar.

[@bandoogiemanz]

The cgc elite membership is $299 with a $150 credit towards grading fees, so it's basically $150 and it includes 20% off every grading submission for a calendar year. If you project to be sending many books, it may be worth it to go that route.

[@misteress8008]

Totally. All look the same: incredible Hulk 179 180 181 182 183... would you say silver age keys and grails should be graded? There's quite a diff $$$ depending on the grade for SA keys.

[@k-dawgbroadcasting5444]

Nope. Protect them but don't seal them up unless they're super rare

[@melw2100]

Yep…made a few of those mistakes myself. Lesson learned.

[@brute_nm]

Great insights

[@jeffkeller9009]

I believe you are spot on.

[@michaelaguilera7694]

If the books isn’t 1000 plus not worth grading

[@jasonhbush]

I need to move to where you live. Nothing in these photos sells for what you are suggesting in California.

[@Mrgp789]

Good advice

[@jesselynch1928]

Very good advice

[@tonyzane4945]

Good vid..You didn't mention MCS. I think their comm is 10%....How do rank MCS with CL ? thanks

[@AutomaticComics]

I tend to see CL get better prices on their auctions than MCS, so I’d recommend CL. Fixed price sales, MCS is a great alternative.

[@bandoogiemanz]

@@AutomaticComics i assume mcs is my comic shop? if so, whats cl?

[@PNWCardsNComics]

Is the reason that X-Men #27 isn't worth grading because of the possible cost up-charge vs. Margin of return? That's the only reason I could think of if cost is the deciding factor. As you said, though a lower grade copy can still sell for $100 or more, the cost to grade makes it prohibitively expensive. Unless the item grades high, it isn't worth it from a flipping/business standpoint. If you're grading to protect or for personal reasons, have at it. Just be sure you're not stressing your finances. Thanks for the informative video! =)

[@AutomaticComics]

It’s because the difference in price between the raw book and the graded book is less than the cost of grading/pressing. So the action of getting it graded costs you more than you gain.

[@PNWCardsNComics]

@AutomaticComics that's where I'm at with a recent planned (but not executed) grading submission. I got the paperwork together and had it all set, and my mind went, "What if they don't grade high enough? Is this a good idea?" So, I scrapped the submission. I need to learn more and research before I try again. Thanks for the awesome, informative videos

[@georgegmoney8334]

What would you pay for everything shown here?

[@AutomaticComics]

Personally, I wouldn’t really want it. It’s a lot of work for very little return. Selling hundreds of comics in lots. Taking all the photos, making listings, packaging, etc. But I imagine a dealer wouldn’t want to give them more than $200-300. At best it might be $1000 in comics. But it is probably more like $600-800 unless something is very high grade.

[@robowenmikels]

Grade em all, fuck what you say

[@AutomaticComics]

You’re welcome to

[@tonyzane4945]

Ryan Tales Of TT should be # 144 not 44....

[@AutomaticComics]

It’s definitely #44.

[@Ghostin93]

It is Teen Titans 44 but whoever got that cgc 9.4 on the last sale was a great deal lol